Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said BSF raised several demands for flag meetings but Pakistan Rangers was not responding.

People living near the International Border in J&K move to a night shelter on Monday. (Source: PTI)

Amidst ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the International Border (IB) and infiltration attempts along the LoC, the Army on Monday said the exchange of fire could be a bid to revive the infiltration that had significantly dropped over the year.

Arguing that the aggression by Pakistan is also a culmination of the ongoing political turmoil within the country, a senior Army official said, “In 2013 and 2012, there were 270 infiltration attempts per year, out of which 90 and 120 succeeded respectively. This year, there has been reduced ex-filtration which in turn has resulted in reduced infiltration attempts – 90 so far. From these, only 24 terrorists have been able to cross the LoC so far.” Also, this year, the Army has so far killed 12 terrorists across the LoC and 47 in the hinterland.

While the ongoing ceasefire violation incidents have taken place along the IB which is guarded by the BSF, the Army has stepped up its build-up as per its summer plans. “Few Rashtriya Rifles battalions from the hinterland have been moved closer to the LoC to create a second line of defence to check infiltration,” the official said. While no call has yet been taken to respond to the DGMO-level talks sought by Pakistan, Army officials said the telephonic conversation that takes place between the DGMOs every Tuesday has been continuing uninterrupted “so far”. “Concerns regarding ceasefire violations will be raised during the telephonic conversation between the DGMOs on Tuesday,” said an Army official.

Meanwhile, the BSF destroyed two bunkers along Pakistan border that were resorting to maximum fire at the Indian posts. “There were two bunkers in the vicinity of Jamshed BOP on Pakistan’s side that were targeting the BSF posts the maximum. Two days ago we destroyed them using special ammunition and since then no firing has been reported from that sector to our corresponding BOP’s in Pittal and Mukesh in RS Pura sector of Jammu,” said BSF DG DK Pathak.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said BSF raised several demands for flag meetings but Pakistan Rangers was not responding. “It has come to notice that 12 Mujahideen brigade of the Pakistan Army is also firing at the BSF posts along the International Border,” the Home minister said.